Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting: Uptown Dance Academy

It’s My Park! Day

SATURDAY OCT 25TH 11AM-4PM This Saturday, Oct 25th is It’s My Park! Day in St. Nicholas Park. This day is devoted to planting trees, painting fences, and getting the park ready for the Winter and Spring. This year we are planting a couple of more gardens in the park and we need all the help… [Read more…]

Madame Alexander Doll Gallery & Gift Shop

Learn My History Scholarship Project Award

The Emmett Till & Sean Bell families request the honor of your presence as they meet for the first time  celebrating the ‘Learn My History Scholarship Project Award’ on October 30th from 6-9PM.

Screen Shot: Mayles Harlem Series

Rent Control: East Harlem• October 25 – 28 From October 25-28 we look take a short trip across town to East Harlem with Ed Morales and Laura’s Rivera’s film about an increasingly altered El Barrio, Whose Barrio? (2007). Following Whose Barrio? Oscar Dominguez and Juan Haro of The Movement For Justice in El Barrio, an… [Read more…]

Narmer’s Newstand

Battle of the Billionaires over Term Limits[NYP] Keep Tabs on Little Texters [NYP] Keep ‘Gossip Girl’ White [ROOT] What is the Bradley Effect? [ROOT] Fed Chief Backs New Stimulus Package [WSJ] Hate Groups Mostly Quiet in Election [NYT] Under Maryland Street, Ties to African Past [NYT] 57 Schools Tests Too Tot to Handle [NYP] Teachers… [Read more…]

Harlem Vintage Wine Tasting Tonight

Tonight, South African winemaker Charles Hopkins of deGrendel Vineyards will be on hand to taste & talk! Stop by and meet this pioneering winemaker and hear his thoughts on this beloved wine region. Wednesday, October 22, 2008 5:30 to 7:30 Free. No reservation required. 2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 121 Street Harlem, NY 10027 212-866-9463… [Read more…]

Harlem-bred Combs Adds Enyce to Portfolio

Despite the tight credit markets and fears over a recession, Sean “Diddy” Combs on Tuesday revealed he has acquired the Enyce brand from Liz Claiborne Inc. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, sources said Combs’ company, Sean John, purchased the flailing urban label for $20 million. The Enyce acquisition also includes all rights… [Read more…]

Lehman College’s 40th Anniversary

MARSALIS BRASILIANOS Exclusive NYC Engagement! Celebrating Lehman College’s 40th Anniversary Celebrated jazz and classical saxophonist Branford Marsalis is the featured soloist with Filarmonia Brasileira‘s U.S. tour commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the death of revered Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.  This award-winning, world class orchestra is conducted by Gil Jardin. This exclusive NYC engagement is part of… [Read more…]

Is the West Harlem Pier Finally Open?

According to a biking blogger who commutes from the Bronx to Manhattan – yes!  You can read her post and check out the pictures over on Of Bronx, Bikes, Commutes, and Cameras. Related: First look at Harlem Piers Park [UF] :: Streetsblog ::

Celebrities: Put A Splash of Cream in My Coffee

As Harlem diversifies and becomes more multicultural, I thought this feature in Essence would be of interest to some of our readers.  I know quite of few of you are involved in loving interracial relationships and will appreciate the spectrum of celebrities and their mates. Since Essence is a women’s magazine, the photos are of… [Read more…]

Free Financial Planning Seminar

Determining Overall Needs & Allocating Resources (DONAR) invites you to attend a free two day financial planning seminar to understand today’s crisis and keep your money safe. The second part of this two part seminar will take place on October 25 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Galleria Rio II, 583 Riverside Drive at… [Read more…]

Harlem’s Ya-Ya DaCosta Makes Acting Look Like a Breeze

It’s been four years since Yaya Dacosta gained a reputation as being a high-maintenance and overly confident aspiring model on the third cycle of the hit reality show ‘America’s Top Model.’ And although she made it all the way to the finals — losing the coveted title to Eva Pigford, the Harlem-bred beauty still has… [Read more…]

Robots & Rockets for Harlem’s Youth

The Teachers College at Columbia University has received a $3.2 million grant to work with New York City community-based organizations to create after-school programs at public schools in Central Harlem, Morningside Heights, Washington Heights and Inwood. The grant, issued by the the New York State Department of Education, will fund after-school programs focused on the… [Read more…]

Going to School is Cool

A report published in the New York Times states that kids in Harlem, Brooklyn and the Bronx missed the equivalent of a months worth of school last year due to chronic absenteeism;  And that was just the elementary school students.  The older grades missed as much as 40% of the state mandated educational hours.  The… [Read more…]

Price Cut Co-op in Mt. Morris

I received the following email about a one bedroom condo for sale in the Mt. Morris Park area.  Not only has the price been slashed by $20,000, but the owner is also offering an additional $10,000 off for renovations.  The agent states that the “new Applebees will be right around the corner.”  Details about the… [Read more…]

NUL Economic Empowerment Tour 2008

New York, NY – Tuesday October 21, 2008 Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Career and Resource Fair 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 6:00 PM – Financial Literacy and Homeownership workshops 7:00 PM – Town Hall Meeting The Path to Empowerment: Jobs and Securing Your Financial Future Invited Panelists Include:… [Read more…]

Narmer’s Newstand

Price drop in oil is bad “lock” for buyers [NYP] A Place of Dignity Falls on Hard Times [NYT] New York moves to remove “bug bombs” from store shelves due to explosions and illness. [WCBS880] Daily News endorses Obama for President [NYDN] Secret Astro Plan [NYP] Harlem Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell 4th won’t accept DWI… [Read more…]

Voice’s Choices – Best of NYC 2008

Best Thing to Come Out of Harlem’s Gentrification Nectar The little corner of South Harlem between 110th and 125th streets has been in the eye of the luxury-condo storm, with million-dollar one-bedrooms going up practically next-door to the projects. The subsequent disparities in income and skin color make for brittle relationships between new and old…… [Read more…]

Mayor Accused of Forcing Support for Third Term

The New York Times has accused Mayor Bloomberg of using questionable tactics to run for a third term in office.  Critics charge the Mayor with allegedly greasing the palms of a number of nonprofits that receive donations from him.  While the original intention might have been honorable, now it is simply borders on “coercion,” according… [Read more…]

Urban Go Green Expo

For more information visit: www.urbangogreen.com or www.myspace.com/urbangogreen

Under the Viaduct

“This is going to be the premier location in the city,” he said. “We’re going to make downtown come uptown.” Read: “Vital Signs Under the Viaduct” [NYT] Related: Uptownflavor on ViVa [U.F.]

Booksigning at HueMan Bookstore

Uptown Treasures Tour

Sunday, October 19, 2008 Uptown Treasures Celebration 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Uptown Treasures Celebration is a day of art, music, history and family fun at the cultural and historic institutions of northern Manhattan. Click here to get a complete listing of events and activities for Uptown Treasures Celebration including links to directions, schedules, and… [Read more…]

Development: Hamilton Lofts

On the way home from La Pregunta, I cut down Edgecombe Avenue and spotted a construction crew going full steam ahead on the Hamilton Lofts.  The location is a little weird (some would say sketchy, but it is more off the beaten path,) since that part of Edgecombe is a back street with car repairs,… [Read more…]

Anthony Channels Sasha

The surprise guest at last night’s Antony and the Johnsons full-orchestra concert at the Apollo? Not a Wainwright, Björk, Lou Reed, or a homeless performance artist. It was Beyoncé! Or maybe Sasha Fierce. Antony channeled Destiny’s Favored Child in a rousing symphonic cover of “Crazy in Love.” Read the rest: NYMag.com

Amsterdam Avenue Stroll

I took a stroll along Amsterdam Avenue from the 140s to the 130s (City College area).  Along the way I passed by the places pictured above and spent my afternoon in the eclectic and relaxing La Pregunta Cafe.  The art pictured is on exhibit at La Pregunta.  Coffee with creamy foam top was a buck… [Read more…]

A Lesson Within A Tragedy

On the night of October 13th a young man by the name of David Diaz had made his way to the roof of 612 West 135th Street. From the roof he had engaged in a prank that has been an annoying staple of the ‘hood- throwing eggs from the roof. According to reports it seems… [Read more…]

The Re:Verse Literary Conference

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2008 Location: Hostos Community College 450 Grand Concourse at 149th St., Bronx, NY Time: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Regular Registration: $15.00 (what a deal!!!) The Re:Verse Literary Conference presents creative ways for keeping literature and books valuable sources of knowledge and creativity. This series of professional-development workshops will help educators… [Read more…]

TONY at Avalon Morningside Park

Narmer’s Newstand

Bottled water has contaminants too, study finds [NYDN] Black employees accuse U.S. Marshals Service of bias[USA] Three-point seat belts pushed for smaller school buses [USA] Eviction Anxiety Rattles a Formerly Subsidized Upper Manhattan Building [NYT] City Said to Explore Rise in Personal Income Tax [NYT] Iraq could get the right to try GIs [NYP] Gov.… [Read more…]

NoMAA Technical Assistance Institute

Listening Party @ Billie’s Black

The Gentrification of East Harlem

You`re invited to meet the author of `Latino Spin, Public Image and the Whitewashing of Race` present and discuss her work on the `UPTOWN PROJECT` and the gentrification of East Harlem. Discounted copies of the book will be available to residents of East Harlem. Coffee and Cake will be served. WHEN: Thursday, October 23, at… [Read more…]

Harlem Stage: Natural Progression Act II

Sunday, October 19, 6-10PM NATURAL PROGRESSION ACT II LET THERE BE SOUL/SOUL DECONSTRUCTED     A dance party installation featuring The Ladies of Ubiquita and live performances by Rahj with special guests Abby Dobson, Manchildblack,Angela Johnson, and more! Live painting by Crystal Clarity and featuring excerpts from the unscene, a documentary work in progress by Pierre Bennu for Exit The Apple Productions.

Second Annual Harlem Men’s All-Star Team

Did you know that there is a cancer center in East Harlem named for Ralph Lauren?  The Ralph Lauren Cancer Center is located at 1919 Madison Avenue at 124th Street.  They are sponsoring a cancer screening campaign for Harlem men 45 or older. The first 1,000 men to get tested for prostate or colon cancer… [Read more…]

What’s Old is New Again – Wells’ Chicken and Waffles

I had a pleasant surprise while traipsing down Seventh Avenue today.  Wells’, the Original Home of Harlem’s Chicken and Waffles, is open for business and serving up heaping plates of hot, steamy soul food.  The location had a few tables for diners who chose to eat in, but the majority of the customers were ordering… [Read more…]

Small Businesses in Harlem Struggle to Survive

While walking around Harlem, I can’t help but to notice the number of empty storefronts.  Some of these spaces are the retail space of newer developments like the Langston (rumors of a Gap or similar retailer were swirling around for a while) and other spaces are small businesses that have gone out of business.  There… [Read more…]

Update: Wireless in Harlem

Kind of like “Sleepless in Seattle”, but better.  Seriously, trying to find free wireless in Harlem can be challenge, especially if you live above the one-teens.  Now that Starbucks has capitalized on the lack of neighborhood cafes in Harlem, that is pretty much the best option for late night Wi-Fi access.  But, if you are… [Read more…]

Photo: Autumn Vision